The little one who sleeps soundly under his eyes, delicate and beautiful like a flower, is his daughter?
Wei Shao sat beside the bed, leaning in, holding his breath, and looking down at the tiny person sleeping.
Soft hair, pale eyebrows, long eyelashes, small nose, with her pink lips slightly open when asleep, chubby little arms and legs ……
Wei Shao leaned closer and smelled a faint milk scent on her body.
Instantly, his heart became soft, and his heart felt the urge to kiss her gently. That is the only way to express his love and regret for her. She is already so old, yet he did not return to see her until now.
Wei Shao opened his eyes wide, greedily gazing at his daughter’s sleeping face, and suddenly noticed a thin layer of sweat condensing on her nose. He carefully reached out towards her little face, trying to wipe it.
When Wei Shao’s fingertips almost touched her nose, he turned and saw Xiao Qiao standing beside the screen, staring at him. A gentle breeze blew in from outside the window, gently curling the low-hanging carved curtain. The curtain couldn’t cover the afternoon sun outside the window, and the few bits of daylight that leaked in scattered on one side of her cheek, brightening her jade-like skin, and her eyes became clear. She stared at him quietly, her lips slightly curved upward, with a soft smile.
Wei Shao’s hand paused in the air for a moment. Without meeting her gaze, he immediately stood up from the edge of the bed and walked towards the outside. He passed in front of her and quickly disappeared beyond the threshold.
……
Wei Shao bowed to Mrs. Xu: “It is unfilial for me to return only now to see Grandmother. How is Grandmother’s health?”
Mrs. Xu had never seen Wei Shao from the beginning of last year when he went to Bingzhou until now. She was delighted to see his face again, held his arm and helped him up, examined him for a moment, and said with a smile, “Good, good, although dark and thin, but good energy. Did you see your wife and daughter?”
Wei Shao said, “Yes, I did.”“Your mother has not seen you for a long time. She misses you. ”
Wei Shao said: “I sent someone to tell her just now. I will meet her after this.”
Mrs. Xu nodded and smiled, “It’s good to be home. I’m fine. Nothing happened here. How long will you stay at home this time? It is important to spend more time with your wife and daughter ……”
“Grandmother, I returned because I have not seen Grandmother for a long time, and my heart misses you. Also, I had not returned when Fei Fei was born. It was not right, so I returned before the upcoming war. I’m afraid I won’t be able to stay long. I’ll be leaving in a few days.”
Mrs. Xu stared at him: “Is it to fight the Le Zheng brothers from Hanzhong?”
“No. It’s to attack Langya. I’ll destroy Langya first, then deal with the Le Zheng brothers.”
Mrs. Xu was slightly stunned. Her expression gradually became solemn: “What is the reason? Le Zheng Kai issued a protest against you. Why do you attack Langya first?”
“I know that this time in Yanzhou, Liu Yan stirred…” she hesitated.
“Grandmother misunderstood,” Wei Shao smiled faintly, “I set this strategy, not for revenge. I have other thoughts.”
Mrs. Xu’s eyebrows relaxed, and her sole eye looked at him with a faint twinkle, and she smiled, “Tell me. Grandmother will listen.”
“Liu Yan is the emperor of the Han dynasty, and he has set himself as the rightful ruler. I will take advantage of the fact that Liu Yan is not yet strong, and the world thinks I want to fight Hanzhong. I will attack him by surprise. I want to divide my troops into three directions, from Taishan, Pei, and Qiao County, three places, at the same time to attack Langya and Xuzhou. Formed a siege, then it will be like catching a turtle in a jar, and Langya will be destroyed!” Wei Shao’s tone sounded rather indifferent.
Mrs. Xu mused: “This strategy is truly a surprise, unexpected. However, how will you respond if Hanzhong attacks?”Wei Shao laughed: “Hanzhong Le Zheng’s family, although their strength is not bad, there are hidden problems within the real. I heard that several sons of Le Zheng Gong, who always appeared harmonious, secretly competed for power. After Le Zheng Gong’s death, it will be like a pack of wolves without a head. They will be suspicious of each other. Le Zheng Kai likes to make great achievements. After claiming the throne, he issued a protest against me. Although he seemed enthusiastic about it, he only does it because of his face, a helpless move. If I send a generous gift to appease him and then add a city to show my goodwill, he will give in to the situation. Let the Le Zheng family be proud of themselves, call themselves emperors, and fight against brothers. After I destroyed Langya, I’ll attack them with half the effort. By then, who else can compete with me in the world?”
Wei Shao’s voice brought out a hint of undisguised arrogance.
Mrs. Xu slowly got up from her seat, leaned on her cane, walked to the window, and stood silently facing the distant mountains outside.
“Shao’er, I count myself as a branch of the Han family. The decline of the Han dynasty began with Emperor Miao. If you can achieve your ambition, you must remember that success and failure are related. Justice is not always the same, those who follow virtue will prosper, and those who go against virtue will die.”
“I will remember Grandmother’s teachings.” Wei Shao stood up and said respectfully.
……
Xiao Qiao could not bear to sleep separately from her daughter at night and brought her to her own bed.
But today, Wei Shao came back. After dark, the nurse carried Fei Fei to the side room, and Xiao Qiao followed her. As usual, Fei Fei had her fill of milk and fell asleep sweetly. The nurse urged her softly, “Go, lady. Leave her to me.”
Xiao Qiao planted a kiss on her daughter’s forehead and instructed the nurse before she went back to her room.
After meeting Mrs. Xu and Mrs. Zhu, Wei Shao went out and had not yet returned.
Xiao Qiao took a bath under the service of Chun Niang and changed into a new summer dress of lake green color. After giving birth, her figure recovered quickly due to her youth. Four months have passed, her waist is still the same, and her body is light, not much different from when she was a young girl. But the breasts are plump. Her old clothes are too tight, and she made a few new sets. The soft silk material covered her skin, wrapping her exquisite body completely but also visible at a glance.
Xiao Qiao personally prepared Wei Shao’s bathing clothes and waited for him in the room. She waited until late, and almost at the end of the day, she heard his footsteps.
Xiao Qiao greeted him. Wei Shao’s face was expressionless as he stepped in, swept his eyes over the bed, and turned to Xiao Qiao.
Xiao Qiao softly said, “Fei Fei is in the side room, sleeping with her nanny.”
Wei Shao’s eyebrows knitted as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn’t. He left her behind and went into the bathroom, closing the door with a bang.